Braider carrier

ABSTRACT

A strand carrier for a high-speed maypole braiding machine, in which the strand pay-off point of each strand carrier is maintained in substantially the same orientation relatively to the braiding point during the travel of the carrier in its serpentine path around the braiding point. The strand carrier of the instant invention is of a construction providing for an increased capacity of the strand supply and includes a hinged upper section normally overlying the strand supply but which may be readily swung open to permit the replenishment of the supply, the hinged upper section incorporating a slack take-up and strand-tensioning means, means for normally preventing rotation of the strand supply bobbin relatively to the carrier, and means under the control of the strand take-up and tensioning means for releasing the bobbin for rotation in a strand pay-off direction when an additional length of the strand is required in the braiding operation.

United States Patent [191 Richardson 1 June 18, 1974 BRAIDER CARRIER[76] Inventor: Donald Richardson, 70 Grandview Blvd, Reading, Pa. 19609[22] Filed: Apr. 25, 1973 [21] Appl. No.: 354,457

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,024,104 Krissiep et al.

2,459,617 l/l949 Carter 3,359,848 12/1967 Ostermann.... 3,408,89311/1968 Singh 87/57 X Primary Examiner-John Petrakes Attorney, Agent, orFirm-Synnestvedt & Lechner [57] ABSTRACT A strand carrier for ahigh-speed maypole braiding machine, in which the strand pay-off pointof each strand carrier is maintained in substantially the sameorientation relatively to the braiding point during the travel of thecarrier in its serpentine path around the braiding point. The strandcarrier of the instant invention is of a construction providing for anincreased capacity of the strand supply and includes a hinged uppersection normally overlying the strand supply but which may be readilyswung open to permit the replenishment of the supply, the hinged uppersection incorporating a slack take-up and strand-tensioning means, meansfor normally preventing rotation of the strand supply bobbin relativelyto the carrier, and means under the control of the strand take-up andtensioning means for releasing the bobbin for rotation in a strandpay-off direction when an additional length of the strand is required inthe braiding operation.

16 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures PATENTEDJun 19 m4 7 SHEET u or 4 FIG. 5'

FIG. 4

BRAIDER CARRIER BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the InventionConventionally in strand carriers for braiding machines, the strandmaterial is wound on bobbins rotatably mounted on the carriers and thebobbins are alternately held against rotation to provide tension in thestrand material and released under the control of tension members topermit the withdrawal of the strand material as the carriers arepropelled along their serpentine paths about the braiding point of themachine.

In the known braiding machines employing such carriers, the transfer ofeach carrier from one driver or horn gear to the next in its travelalong its serpentine path results in the simultaneous reversal of thedirection of rotation of the carrier due to the fact that the adjacentdrivers or horn gears rotate in opposite directions. As a consequence,special means have been necessitated to arrest the energy of rotation ofthe carrier bobbin, such means conventionally consisting of ratchets andthe like. The provision of such devices not only adds to the cost of themachine but, at the same time, reduces the carrier reliability. Also,such devices add extra weight to the carrier and reduce the capacity ofthe carrier to accomodate the strand material. Furthermore, inasmuch asthe conventional carrier rotates in the same direction as that of thedriver or horn gear by which it is propelled, it is necessary that thestrand be guided by an eye or swivel pay-out element or the like tocompensate for the motion of the carrier relatively to its driver as itmoves along its serpentine path.

These problems have been eliminated in the braider construction ofApplicants prior application Ser. No. 280,63 l, filed Aug. 14, 1972, nowU.S.Pat. No. 3,783,736 dated Jan. 8, 1971 which discloses a strandcarrier propelling means which isolates the carrier spindle rotationfrom that of the drivers or horn gears. Specifically, the rotation ofeach carrier on its own axis is so controlled that the customary suddenreversal of the carrier rotation during transfer from one driver or horngear to the next is eliminated. Further, the construction is such thatthe carrier maintains its strand pay-out point in substantially the sameorientation relatively to the braiding point during its travel aroundthe braiding point whereby the customary relatively complicated pay-outeye or swivel device may be eliminated. Furthermore, andof particularimportance, clue to the fact that the braider construction eliminatesthe sudden re versal of rotation of the carriers, the employment ofsimplified mechanisms for taking up the slack and applying tension tothe strand as the carrier moves along its sinuous path, is permitted.

The present invention is directedto abraider carrier, particularlyadapted. for employment in a braiding machine of Applicants said priorapplication although it may be used in. braiding machines of othertypes, in which the slack take-up and strand-tensioning means and otherstrand. control elements are readily removably mounted above the bobbinwhereby maximum space is provided. for the bobbin with consequentincreased strand-carrying capacity andother advantages are attained, aswill become apparent hereinafter.

2. Descriptionof the Prior Art Of the many prior patents relating tobraider carriers, the most pertinent are believed to be represented bypatents to Ostennann US. Pat. No. 3,359,848, issued Dec. 26, 1967, andSingh US. Pat. No. 3,408,893, issued Nov. 5, 1968. Referring to thesepatents individually, Ostermann discloses a carrier construction inwhich certain elements of the strand take-up and tensioning mechanismare also supported above the bobbin by means which allows for theirremoval to permit the substitution of full bobbins for empty ones.However, the patented construction additionally requires a brakingsystem which adds substantially to the cost and complexity of thecarrier. Also, the carrier includes other undesirable features which areeliminated by the carrier of the present invention, as will becomeapparent hereinafter.

In patent to Singh, the strand-tensioning means again is, in part,mounted above the strand supply bobbin and provision is made for theremoval of such mechanism when the strand supply is to be renewed.However, the strand take-up and tensioning means additionally re quirethe inclusion of a torsion spring located interiorly of the carrier withthe result that the strand-carrying capacity of the bobbin iscompromised or substantially limited. An associated strand-clampingmechanism, of which there is no counterpart in the carrier of theinstant invention, is also required.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The principal object of the instant inventionis the provision of a strand carrier of an improved construction foremployment in a high-speed braiding machine of the maypole type andparticularly in a braiding machine incorporating the features ofApplicants said prior application Ser. No. 280,631.

Another object of the invention. is the provision of a braider carrierattaining the foregoing object having a maximum strand-carryingcapacity.

A further object of the invention is the provision of a braider carrierattaining the foregoing objects which additionally includes improved andsimplified means for compensating for or taking up the slack in thebraiding strand and applying substantially uniform tension thereto asthe carrier moves in its sinuous or serpentine path around the braidingpoint.

A still further object of the invention is the provision of a braidercarrier attaining the foregoing objects in which the mass of themechanism serving to take up or compensate for the slack which wouldotherwise occur in the strand and for tensioning the strand is substan'tially reduce as compared to the mechanism accomplishing similarfunctions in prior carriers.

The aforementioned and other objects of the invention, which will becomeapparent, are attained by the braider carrier now to be described. Itwill be understood that the carrier may be employed without modificationin braiders inwhich the braider deck is in either a vertical, horizontalor intermediate plane. However, for the purpose of convenience onlyandwithout limiting the use of the carrier in any way, in the followingdescription it will be assumed that the braider deck is in a horizontalplane with the carriers positioned thereabove.

The braider carrier of the invention comprises a would otherwise occurat intervals in the braiding strand as the carrier travels in itsserpentine path around the braiding point and for applying substantiallyuniform tension to the strand during such travel.

The preferred means employed to perform the above-mentioned functionscomprises an arm (herein termed a compensator arm) pivotally mounted atthe longitudinal center thereof, and with the pivot point in axialalignment with the bobbin-supporting spindle, on a frame memberoverlying the yarn supply bobbin, the arm having sheaves affixedadjacent the opposite ends thereof for guiding the strands in what ishere termed an S or Z path. The compensator arm is urged to rotate in adirection to tension the strand by a torsion spring having associatedmeans to adjust the torque exerted thereby. The bobbin carrying thestrand supply is normally held against rotation as by a clutch mechanismwhich is released at times, under the influence of the compensator arm,to permit pay-off of the strand from the bobbin when an additionallength of the strand is required for the braiding operation. The framemember referred to above which supports the compensator arm and whichalso supports the torsion spring and the clutch mechanism comprises ahub element which is hingedly connected to a fixed vertically-extendingpost forming a portion of the carrier frame. This construction permitsthe ready removal or swinging out of the strand-tensioning andcontrolling elements when a bobbin is to be replaced.

The advantageous features of the construction include the ability tomaintain the mass of the compensator arm at a minimum, therebypermitting high speeds to be employed. Also, the advantageous featuresinclude the ease with which the strand may be threaded and theelimination of the customary braking or sliding elements and thenecessity of a pay-out eye or swivel device. The construction alsoaffords ample space for an appropriately large torsion spring whichreduces tension variation in the strand, as it is fed to the braidingpoint, to a minimum.

A substantial field of use of the carrier of the invention is inbraiding machines of the type employed for the reinforcement of highpressure hose and the like with metallic strands. However, its field ofuse is not so limited as the carrier may be equally well employed in theproduction of other braided products such as, for example, thosecomposed of textile or other nonmetallic strands. In this connection,the provision of means, previously mentioned, to adjust the force ortorque exerted on the compensator arm by the torsion spring is ofcritical importance as it permits the tension imparted to the strand tobe selected as required by the particular strand material employed orthe product to be produced.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is an elevational view, with certainparts broken away and other parts omitted, or a braider carrier inaccordance with the instant invention;

FIG. 2 is a top plan view, with certain lower parts omitted forclearance of illustration, of the braider carrier of FIG. 1, the viewillustrating the position of a compensator arm of the carrier at onestage in the operation of the carrier;

FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIG. 2 illustrating the position of thecompensator arm of the carrier at another stage in the operation of thecarrier;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken on the line 4-4 of FIG. 2 and alsoillustrating certain lower parts of the carrier not disclosed in FIG. 2;and

FIG. 5 is a diagrammatic view illustrating the movement of a carrier ofthe invention in its serpentine path around a braiding point during thebraiding operation.

Referring now particularly to FIGS. l-4, a braider carrier incorporatingthe instant invention and indicated generally by the reference characterin FIG. 1 has a frame structure including a base plate 12 affixed to acolumn 14, the upwardly-extending portion of which defines abobbin-supporting spindle or post 15. The column 14 also carries a foot(not shown) for cooperation with the drive elements of the braider, asis conventional; the foot in the instant case, however, suitably beingof the construction as disclosed in Applicants copending applicationSer. No. 280,613 previously referred to.

Base member 12 has a projecting arm 16 (see FIG. 4) supporting, as bybeing formed integrally therewith, an upwardly-extending frame member orpost 18. The upper end of post 18 is connected to a strut element 20 asby a hinge 22 suitably comprising (see FIG. 1) a pro- 25 jecting portion24 of the post of reduced width received between wing members 26 of thestrut element and a hinge pin 28 penetrating wing members 26 andprojection 24. Strut element 20 includes an upwardlyprojecting portion25 connected, as by being formed integrally therewith or welded thereto,to a nonrotatable hub member 30 of the carrier frame structure. An arm32 suitably formed integrally with strut element 20 projects upwardlytherefrom and, when the parts are in the assembled position illustratedin FIG. 4, is substantially in alignment with, but in somewhat twistedrelationship with respect to, post 18. Arm 32 supports a rotatablesheave 34 as by a pin 36 projecting from the arm. Hub 30 also has asecond arm 33 projecting upwardly and outwardly of the hub. Arm 33rotatably supports a sheave 35 as by a pin 37. As disclosed particularlyin FIGS. 2 and 3, the central points of sheaves 34 and 35 aresubstantially diametrically opposite to each other and the sheaves liein substantially parallel vertical planes in more and less than rightangular relationship to the vertical diametrical plane of said centralpoints.

When the carrier is prepared for operation a bobbin 38, having alongitudinally-extending central bore, is mounted on bobbin supportspindle 15 between hub 30 and base member 12 with antifriction bearings42 of any suitable type interposed between the inner wall of the boreand the spindle. Bobbin 38 is adapted to carry a supply 40 of the strandmaterial to be braided, such as wire, textile or other strands requiredfor the production of the particular braid product desired. Frame memberor post 18, previously referred to, supports a baler bar 44 ofconventional type, the baler bar being mounted adjacent a recessedportion of the post and including axially positioned pins 46 projectingfrom the ends thereof and received within bearing openings in ears 48extending outwardly from the post. Post 18 also supports a rotatablesheave 50 as by pin 52.

A slack take-up and strand-tensioning mechanism is positioned above thebobbin, the mechanism including a compensator arm 56 mounted at itslongitudinal center for rocking or oscillating movements on anupwardly-projecting cylindrical element 58 of hub 30 which is in axialalignment with the bobbin spindle or post 15. Suitably for this purpose,the compensator arm has a central bore receiving the element 58 withantifriction bearing members 60 of any desired type interposedtherebetween. The opposite ends of the compensator arm carry sheaves 62and 64 mounted for rotation on pins 66 and 68 respectively projectingupwardly from the compensator arm. The sheaves are spaced equidistantfrom the pivot point of the arm and are positioned at a level that thegroove of sheave 62 is substantially in horizontal alignment with thelower peripheral portion of the groove of sheave 35 and the groove ofsheave 64 is substantially in horizontal alignment with the upperperipheral portion of the groove of sheave Affixed to the respective endportions of the compensator arm in any suitable manner, as by beingwelded thereto or formed integrally therewith, are arcuatecounterclockwise projecting arms 69 and 70, each arm carrying a pair ofgrooved rollers or sheaves 71 rotatably mounted at the level of sheaves62 and 64 on pins 72. The sheaves 71 carried by arm 69 are so positionedand are of such diameter that they will successively guide the braidingstrand to sheave 35 as compensator arm 56 rotates from the positionillustrated in FIG. 3 toward the position illustrated in FIG. 2, saidsheaves 71 thereafter passing between arm 33 and sheave 35 as thecompensator approaches the position of FIG. 2. Guide sheaves 71 of arm69 will also perform equivalent functions upon the return rotation ofthe compen sator arm to the position of FIG. 3. Similarly, the sheaves71 carried by arm 70 are so positioned and are of such diameter thatthey will successively guide the braiding strand between sheaves 34 and64, as the compensator arm 56 rotates or oscillates between itspositions as shown in FIG. 2 and 3, without contact with sheave 34.

In addition to the compensator arm, the slack take up andstrand-tensioning mechanism includes a torsion spring '74 having aright-angle end portion or tang 75 (see FIG. 1) projecting from theupper coil of the spring and received within a perforation in an ear 76of the compensator arm. The lower coil of torsion spring 74 has adownwardly-projecting right-angle end portion or tang 78 received withina selected one of a plurality of notches 80 formed in anoutwardly-projecting flange portion 82 of hub 30, portion 82 suitablybeing at the level of the hinged inwardly-directed arm of strut 20. Thetorsion spring is of a character to urge rotation of compensator arm 56in a clockwise direction as viewed in FlGS. 2 and 3.

The carrier of the invention also includes mechanism to normally preventrotation of bobbin 38 relatively to bobbin spindle post and other fixedparts of the carrier, but to release it for pay-off of the strand whenthat is required in the braiding operation. The mechanism for thispurpose may be selected from one of several known types such as brakes,spring clutches, and roller clutches, the final selection depending uponcost factors, product requirements and the like, as well as the facilityof the mechanism to be released from its clutching function at theproper time. In the' preferred embodiment of the invention asillustrated, the bobbinholding and releasing means comprises a wrappedclutch spring 84 surrounding a portion 85 of the peripheral surface ofhub 30 and a vertically-aligned peripheral surface 86 of a rotatable hub87, the hub 87 being received in a circumferentially recessed portion 88of hub 30. Spring clutch 84 is of a character that, when unrestrained,it will clutchingly engage the surfaces and 86 and prevent relativerotation of the hubs 30 and 87. As illustrated particularly in FIG. 4,rotatable hub 87, which has an inner diameter sufficiently less than thediameter of the recessed portion 88 of hub 30 as to permit readyrotation with respect thereto when the clutch is released, is supportedon hub 30 by a retaining ring 92 received in an annular groove 94 in hub30 and projecting therebeyonid into an undercut provided in therotatable hub.

Referring particularly to FIG. 1, a circumferential flange portion 96 ofrotatable hub 86 carries at least one, but preferably several,downwardly-projecting fins 98, the fins being snugly received withinnotches 100 in the upper end portion or flange 102 of bobbin 38. As aconsequence, the bobbin will rotate or be held against rotation incorrespondence with rotatable hub 86. The upper coil or clutch spring 84includes an upwardlyextending end portion or tang 97 received within acorrespondingly shaped recess or bore in the upper horizontal portion ofstrut 20, as illustrated in FIG. 4. The lower coil of clutch spring 84includes an outwardlyprojecting end portion or tang 104 received withina recess or notch in the lower arm of a lever member 91 mounted forrocking movement on the vertical portion of strut 20 ad by pivot pin 93.The other arm of the lever member projects upwardly to a position inwhich it is first contacted and then moved in a counterclockwisedirection by compensator arm 56 when the latter is rotated in acounterclockwise direction to its terminal position illustrated in FIG.2. Clutch spring 84 is of a type that its clutching action is releasedupon relatively minor displacement of tang 104 in the clockwisedirection upon the application of a relatively light force to the upperarm of lever member '91 by the compensator arm.

As will be observed, hub 30 and the various parts carried thereby,including the compensator arm, torsion spring, spring clutch and otherelements, may be swung on hinge 22 to a position sufficiently remotefrom bobbin spindle 15 to permit ready removal and replace ment of abobbin. In order to ensure maintenance of hub 30 and its associatedparts in the positions illustrated in FIG. 4 during the operation of thebraider, suitably a pin 105 is employed, the pin having a head portion106 which may be of integral construction or, alternatively, include aseparate washer 108, overlying the upper end of element 58 and a portionof the bearing 60, and also having a lower threaded end 110 re ceivedwithin a threaded bore extending axially of bobbin spindle 14.

In preparation for the operation of a braiding machine, preferably ofthe construction disclosed in Applicants said copending application Ser.No. 280,631, and which employs the carriers described above, pin 105 ofeach carrier is first removed and hub 30 and the parts associatedtherewith are swung on hinge 22 to a position sufficiently remote frombobbin support spindle 14 that a bobbin carrying a supply of theselected strand material may be slipped onto the spindle. Hub 30 and theattendant parts are then swung back to the position as illustrated inFIG. 4 and pin 105 reinserted to maintain hub 30 in locked positionrelatively to spindle 14. The clutching function of spring 84 isreleased as by moving the upper arm of lever member 91 in acounterclockwise direction by any suitable means, such as by manualrotation of the compensator arm 56 to bring it into contact with andthereafter rock the lever member, and a strand 111 is drawn from thesupply 40 partially around baler bar 44 and partially around the grooveof each of sheaves 50 and 34. From sheave 34 the strand is drawn aroundthe outer peripheral portion of the grooves of strand guide sheaves 71carried by arm 70 and then in clockwise direction partially around thegroove of sheave 64. From sheave 64 the strand is drawn to sheave 62 andin a counterclockwise direction partially around the groove thereof,around outer peripheral portions of the grooves of guide sheaves 71carried by arm 69, partially around the groove of sheave 36 from thelower to the upper peripheral portion thereof, and thence to thebraiding point 112 indicated in FIG. 5. The pressure exerted on theupper arm of lever member 91 is then released as by clockwise rotationof the compensator arm to permit the clutch spring 84 to again assertits clutching function. The torque to be asserted against thecompensator arm by torsion spring 74 is adjusted to that required forthe particular braiding operation by positioning tang 78 in a selectednotch 80.

Referring now to FIG. 5, a portion of the sinuous or serpentine pathtaken by a braider carrier of the instant invention as it travels in aclockwise direction around the braiding point 112 is illustrated, inbeing understood that while only one such carrier is shown, a multiplenumber of carriers will follow the same path, as is conventional. Also,it will be understood that, as is conventional, a same number ofcarriers will travel in a similar path, but in a counterclockwisedirection around the braiding point, the paths having carrier cross-overpoints at the B and D locations shown in FIG. and corresponding points.

The braiding machine in which the carriers are employed is, as abovenoted, preferably of the construction disclosed in Applicants copendingapplication Ser. No. 280,631 whereby, due to the controlled rotation ofeach carrier on its own axis, the strand pay-off point of each carrier,defined in the instant carrier by sheave 35, maintains a substantiallyconstant orientation to the braiding point 112. When the carrier is inposition A of FIG. 5, namely at a nearest location to the braidingpoint, compensator arm 56 will be in the position illustrated in FIG. 3with tension applied to the strand by the torsion spring 74. Also, atthis stage clutch spring 84 will be in its clutching condition, maintaining the rotatable hub 86 against rotation relatively to hub 30,whereby the bobbin 38 is held against rotation relatively to thebobbin-support post or spindle 15. Hence, no pay-off of the strand ispermitted at this time. As the carrier moves from position A throughposition B and approaches position C, compensator arm 56 is rotated, bythe change to a strand demand status, in a counterclockwise directionand against the force of spring 74 until the arm reaches a position inwhich it is in contact with the upper arm of lever member 91. Furtherminor counterclockwise rotation of the compensator arm to the positionillustrated in FIG. 2, as the carrier moves to position C, rocks thelever member sufficiently to release the clutching action of clutchspring 84 and permit rotation of the bobbin 38 and withdrawal of alength of the strand material therefrom to provide a pay-out supplythereof as required for the braiding operation until the clutch is againreleased.

Upon further movement of the carrier to and through position D andfinally to position E, namely toward the braiding point 112, thecompensator arm is rotated in a clockwise direction by the torsionspring, a first part of such movement withdrawing the arm from itscontact with the upper arm of lever member 91 and permitting clutchspring 84 to again perform its clutch function. The further clockwiserotation of the compensator arm also takes up the slack in the strand asthe length of strand extending between sheave 35 and the braiding pointdecreases and maintains the strand under controlled tension. As will beunderstood, the above-described operations will be repeated during eachmovement of each carrier from a position in which it is nearest to thebraiding point to a position in which it is most remote therefrom andthen back to a position nearest the braiding point.

The braider carrier above described fully attains the several objects ofthe invention, as previously set forth, and provides additionaladvantages, as is readily apparent. For example, inasmuch as the severalelements around which the braiding strand is passed are fully exposed,the carrier may be easily threaded. Also, the location of the strandcontrol and tensioning mechanism above the bobbin permits the use of abobbin of maximum strand-carrying capacity, as previously mentioned, andalso places the mass of the strand supply in the most desirablelocation, namely as close as possible to the carrier-propelling means.In addition, the space available for the strand-tensioning torsionspring 74 permits the use of a relatively large torsion spring wherebyvariation in the tension of the braiding strand as the carrier movestoward and away from the braiding point is reduced to a minimum. Also,the adjustable feature of the torsion spring permits the force suppliedby it to the compensator arm to be readily selected to conform to therequirements of virtually any strand material. A further importantfeature of the braider carrier of the invention is the arrangement ofthe strand let-off means including the hubs 30 and 86 and the clutchspring 84, the slack take-up and strand-tensioning means including thecompensator arm 56 and torsion spring 74 and other associated parts, andthe strand guide sheaves 34 and 35 and their supporting posts, as asingle integrated unit movable between operative and inoperativepositions.

I claim:

1. In a braider carrier for a maypole-type braider, said carrier havinga frame structure including means for rotatably supporting a bobbinhaving a braiding strand wound thereon, means providing for thewithdrawal of lengths of said strand from said bobbin and means fortaking up slack in and applying tension to the strand withdrawn from abobbin mounted on said bobbin supporting means, the improvement whereinsaid slack take-up and strand-tensioning means comprises a pair ofstrand guide elements carried by said frame structure in fixed positionsrelatively thereof and oscillatory means for guiding a strand in asubstantially S or Z path between said strand guide elements of saidpair.

2. A braider carrier as defined in claim 1 wherein said oscillatorymeans for guiding a strand in an S or Z path between said strand guideelements comprises a compensator arm, strand guide means carried by saidam, and pivot means mounted said arm for oscillation.

3. A braider carrier as defined in claim 2 wherein said strand guidemeans comprise strand guide members on opposite sides of said pivotmeans and spaced therefrom.

4. A braider carrier as defined in claim 3 wherein said slack take-upand strand-tensioning means additionally comprises spring means andthere is means for causing cooperation between said spring means andsaid compensator arm.

5. A braider carrier as defined in claim 4 wherein said spring means isa torsion spring.

6. A braider carrier as defined in claim 4 wherein there is means foradjusting the force of said spring means to vary the tension applied tothe strand.

7. A braider carrier as defined in claim 5 wherein said torsion springcomprises a coil of wire terminating in end portions and there is meansaffixing one of said end portions of said wire to said compensator armand there is means affixing the other of said end portions of said wireto an element of said frame structure.

8. A braider carrier as defined in claim 7 wherein there is means forreadily adjusting the torque exerted by said torsion spring.

9. A braider carrier as defined in claim 3 wherein said compensator armsupports means for guiding a strand from one of said pair of strandguide elements to one of said strand guide members and also supportsmeans for guiding a strand from the other of said strand guide membersto the other of said strand guide elements.

10. A braider carrier as defined in claim 2 wherein said means providingfor the withdrawal of strand lengths from a bobbin comprises a clutchwhich, when in clutching operation, maintains said bobbin againstrotation, and wherein said improvement additionally includes meansoperated by said compensator arm for releasing said clutch to permitrotation of said bobbin to provide pay-out supplies of said strands.

11. In a braider carrier as defined in claim 10, the further improvementwherein said clutch comprises a non rotatable hub member of said framestructure, a rotatable hub element, means for releasably locking saidrotatable hub element to a bobbin, and a coil spring mounted forcooperation with said nonrotatable hub memeber and said rotatable hubelement.

12. A braider carrier as defined in claim 11 wherein said means operatedby said compensator arm for releasing said clutch comprises a projectingend portion of said coil spring and a rockable lever member in contacttherewith, said lever member including a portion projecting into thepath of oscillatory movement of said compensator arm for rockingmovement thereby.

13. In a braider carrier having a frame structure including a basemember having a support for a braiding strand supply bobbin, meansproviding for the withdrawal of strand lengths from a bobbin mounted onsaid support, and means for taking up slack in and for applying tensionto said strand withdrawn from said bobbin, the improvement wherein saidframe structure includes a projecting member and additionally includesframe elements overlying said bobbin and supporting saidstrand-tensioning and strand length compensating means, and there ishinge means connecting said frame elements to said projecting memberwhereby said frame elements may be rotated on said hinge means to aposition sufficiently remote from said bobbin support to permit theremoval and replacement of bobbins.

14. A braider carrier as definedin claim 13 wherein said frame elementsinclude a hub member by which other of said frame elements aresupported, and said hub member includes an arm of said hinge.

15. A braider carrier as defined in claim 14 wherein there is areleasable means for connecting said hub element to said bobbin supportfor operation of said carrier.

16. In a braider carrier including support means for a rotatable strandsupply bobbin, means for, at certain times, permitting rotation of abobbin on said support for withdrawal of a strand therefrom and at othertimes restraining such rotation, means for taking up slack in I a strandand for applying tension. thereto, and means for guiding a strandthrough said slack take-up and tensioning means and toward a braidingpoint, the improvement wherein there is means I supporting said meansfor permitting rotation of a. bobbin at times and restraining saidrotation at other times, said means for taking up slack in a strand andfor applying tension thereto, and said strand guiding means, as anintegrated unit, and for movement of said integrated unit betweenoperative and inoperative positions.

UNITED ST TES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No."3,817,147 Dated June 18,, 1974 lnv'entor(s-)y Donald Richardson It iscertified'that error appears in the above-identified patent and thatsaidLetters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

Column 1, line 37 "1971" should read "1974-- Column 2, line 49 "reduce"should read "reduced-- Column 6, line 20 "or" should read "of-- Column6, line1 28 "ad" should read -as-- Column 7, line 7 "portion" shouldread --portions- Column 8, line 4 "a" should read the- Column 8, line 72nd occ. should read clutching Signed and sealed this 8th day of October1974.

(SEAL) Attest:

McCOY M. GIBSON JR. C. MARSHALL DANN Attesting Officer Commissioner ofPatents UscOMM-DC 60376-P69 w-us. covgnumsm PRINTING omcs: lasso--:se-s34 ORM FO-1050 (10-69)

1. In a braider carrier for a maypole-type braider, said carrier havinga frame structure including means for rotatably supporting a bobbinhaving a braiding strand wound thereon, means providing for thewithdrawal of lengths of said strand from said bobbin and means fortaking up slack in and applying tension to the strand withdrawn from abobbin mounted on said bobbin supporting means, the improvement whereinsaid slack take-up and strand-tensioning means comprises a pair ofstrand guide elements carried by said frame structure in fixed positionsrelatively thereof and oscillatory means for guiding a strand in asubstantially S or Z path between said strand guide elements of saidpair.
 2. A braider carrier as defined in claim 1 wherein saidoscillatory means for guiding a strand in an S or Z path between saidstrand guide elements comprises a compensator arm, strand guide meanscarried by said arm, and pivot means mounted said arm for oscillation.3. A braider carrier as defined in claim 2 wherein said strand guidemeans comprise strand guide members on opposite sides of said pivotmeans and spaced therefrom.
 4. A braider carrier as defined in claim 3wherein said slack take-up and strand-tensioning means additionallycomprises spring means and there is means for causing cooperationbetween said spring means and said compensator arm.
 5. A braider carrieras defined in claim 4 wherein said spring means is a torsion spring. 6.A braider carrier as defined in claim 4 wherein there is means foradjusting the force of said spring means to vary the tension applied tothe strand.
 7. A braider carrier as defined in claim 5 wherein saidtorsion spring comprises a coil of wire terminating in end portions andthere is means affixing one of said end portions of said wire to saidcompensator arm and there is means affixing the other of said endportions of said wire to an element of said frame structure.
 8. Abraider carrier as defined in claim 7 wherein there is means for readilyadjusting the torque exerted by said torsion spring.
 9. A braidercarrier as defined in claim 3 wherein said compensator arm supportsmeans for guiding a strand from one of said pair of strand guideelements to one of said strand guide members and also supports means forguiding a strand from the other of said strand guide members to theother of said strand guide elements.
 10. A braider carrier as defined inclaim 2 wherein said means providing for the withdrawal of strandlengths from a bobbin comprises a clutch which, when in clutchingoperation, maintains said bobbin against rotation, and wherein saidimprovement additionally includes means operated by said compensator armfor releasing said clutch to permit rotation of said bobbin to providepay-out supplies of said strands.
 11. In a braider carrier as defined inclaim 10, the further improvement wherein said clutch comprises anonrotatable hub member of said frame structure, a rotatable hubelement, means for releasably locking said rotatable hub element to abobbin, and a coil spring mounted for cooperation with said nonrotatablehub memeber and said rotatable hub element.
 12. A braider carrier asdefined in claim 11 wherein said means operated by said compensator armfor releasing said clutch comprises a projecting end portion of saidcoil spring and a rockable lever member in contact therewith, said levermember including a portion projecting into the path of oscillatorymovement of said compensator arm for rocking movement thereby.
 13. In abraider carrier having a frame structure including a base member havinga support for a braiding strand supply bobbin, means providing for thewithdrawal of strand lengths from a bobbin mounted on said support, andmeans for takIng up slack in and for applying tension to said strandwithdrawn from said bobbin, the improvement wherein said frame structureincludes a projecting member and additionally includes frame elementsoverlying said bobbin and supporting said strand-tensioning and strandlength compensating means, and there is hinge means connecting saidframe elements to said projecting member whereby said frame elements maybe rotated on said hinge means to a position sufficiently remote fromsaid bobbin support to permit the removal and replacement of bobbins.14. A braider carrier as defined in claim 13 wherein said frame elementsinclude a hub member by which other of said frame elements aresupported, and said hub member includes an arm of said hinge.
 15. Abraider carrier as defined in claim 14 wherein there is a releasablemeans for connecting said hub element to said bobbin support foroperation of said carrier.
 16. In a braider carrier including supportmeans for a rotatable strand supply bobbin, means for, at certain times,permitting rotation of a bobbin on said support for withdrawal of astrand therefrom and at other times restraining such rotation, means fortaking up slack in a strand and for applying tension thereto, and meansfor guiding a strand through said slack take-up and tensioning means andtoward a braiding point, the improvement wherein there is meanssupporting said means for permitting rotation of a bobbin at times andrestraining said rotation at other times, said means for taking up slackin a strand and for applying tension thereto, and said strand guidingmeans, as an integrated unit, and for movement of said integrated unitbetween operative and inoperative positions.